'I Want to Play For That Guy!' Announcer Details Quick Maturity of Ravens' Lamar Jackson
Brandon Gaudin is a man of many hats and thus plentiful job security. But if the Baltimore Ravens ever came calling, it appears he'd accept that job in a heartbeat.
Gaudin, best known as the television voice for MLB's Atlanta Braves, saw the professional rise of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson coming, detailing one of his original production meetings with the two-time MVP during an appearance on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution podcast "Braves Report."
USA TODAY SPORTS
Having also built a solid career in Fox Sports college and professional football departments, Gaudin has been to countless pregame production meetings. Collaborating with a young Jackson, however, left a noticeable impact on him.
"I remember meeting with Lamar Jackson who is still young but was even younger at the time, and at the end of that meeting, I wanted to run through a brick wall for him," Gaudin recalled. "I want to play for that guy. I had seen some interviews with him, but when he sat with no camera, and the doors closed, and just talked football, I was like, 'wow, it is amazing how smart these guys are, how they know coverages how they read defenses.' You take it for granted."
Gaudin's fateful meeting with Jackson came during the second week of the 2019 season, Jackson's first full-time campaign as Baltimore's franchise quarterback. That Sunday was set to feature a battle of rising passing stars with Jackson and the Ravens hosting Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals.
The interconference bird battle hinted at what was to come for Jackson: the then-second-year man put up 392 total yards of offense and threw for two scores in a 23-17 victory, an early case for the first of his two MVP titles.
"Man, I would love to play with Lamar Jackson," Gaudin said. "He wouldn't want me on his team. But, I mean, it'd be really cool."
Fortunately for Ravens fans, the team is destined to enjoy further Jackson magic as the two sides agreed to a five-year worth $260 million last offseason.
